On the occasion of World AIDS Day 2011 the foundation "Jugend gegen Aids" (Youth against Aids) launches a unique promotion in collaboration with the agency deepblue networks. With every new Facebook friend, a real statue of the Virgin Mary will shed a tear as a symbol against the Catholic Church's stance toward condoms.

In cooperation with Escapeism the artist Stefan Strumbel, who is known as a shooting star in the international art scene, the statue was designed. From 28 November to 3 December 2011, the statue of the Virgin Mary, encased inside a glass tank, will be exhibited at “The Old Casino”, located at Rübenkamp 148 in Hamburg. On www.facebook.com/jugendgegenaids, the Virgin Mary will shed a tear for every new friend – until she is up to her neck in water, symbolic of the Catholic Church. The entire promotion can be witnessed live via a video stream on Facebook.

The aim of the promotion is to sensitise the public toward the topic and seek dialogue with the Catholic Church. “The users themselves become a part of the protest by a simple click of the mouse,” says Oliver Drost, Managing Creative Director, “and we are bridging the gap between the real and the digital worlds.”

For flowing a tear, :

 

With golden regards,
ESCAPE Team